The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 24, July 1920 - April, 1921 Page: 247

THE
SOUTHWESTERN HISTORICAL
QUARTERLY
VOL. XXIV APRIL, 1921 " No. 4
The publication committee and the editors disclaim responsibility for nwews expressed by
contributors to THE QUARTERLY
DONELSON'S MISSION TO TEXAS IN BEHALF OF
ANNEXATION*
ANNIE MIDDLETON
I. INTRODUCTORY
1. Recognition of Texan Independence by the United States
In the fall of 1835 Texas found herself at war with Mexico.
This began as an effort on the part of the Texans to restore the
"republican principles" of government overthrown by Santa Anna,
but it soon became a struggle for independence. Although the
Texans held a consultation at San Felipe in November and or-
ganized a provisional government, they remained at least nom-
inally faithful to Mexico until the convention met at Washington,
Texas, March 1, 1836. This convention declared the independ-
ence of Texas, drew up a constitution, and organized a permanent
government. Pending the adoption of the constitution and the
election of officers for the new government, the convention created
a government ad interim.
In December, 1835, Governor Smith had directed Branch T.
Arthur, Stephen F. Austin, and William H. Wharton, the com-
missioners to the United States, to ascertain whether the United
States would immediately recognize the independence of Texas
if she declared her independence; so, after the March convention
*This is a study of the final stage of the annexation movement from
the Texan side. Little remains to be said concerning the international
phases of this question, but the local aspect 'of the movement needed ex-
amination. This paper and the one to follow on the Texan convention of
1845 were accepted as the thesis for the Master of Arts degree by the
Graduate Council of the University of Texas in June, 1920.